Panel on officials' pay holds first meeting

LITTLE ROCK — Members of a newly formed panel say they're unlikely to say whether Arkansas' elected officials deserve a pay raise in an initial review that's due in less than two months.

The Independent Citizens Commission that voters created in November to review and adjust officials' salaries met for the first time Thursday at the state Capitol. The panel is tasked with reviewing pay for the state's constitutional officers, legislators and judges.

The panel elected Sherwood consultant Larry Ross its chairman, and former federal prosecutor Chuck Banks as vice chairman.

Ross and Banks said the initial review the panel must complete by Feb. 2 doesn't have to include a decision on elected officials' salaries, and said those adjustments can come later.

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